Device for applying a flowing or paste-like product to keratin fibres

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an device for applying a flowing or paste-like product to keratin fibers, comprising an elongate central core ( 1 ) extending along a longitudinal axis XX, at least one row of elongate bristles ( 2 ) comprising a first end ( 20 ) embedded on the core and a second, free end ( 21 ), the bristles ( 2 ) and the core ( 1 ) being made in one piece. According to the invention, at least one of bristles has a flattened shape in a plane substantially perpendicular to axis XX, said at least one bristle being defined in a front view by a first ridge ( 25 ) that is continuously convex or concave from the base ( 20 ) thereof embedded in the core ( 1 ) up to the second end ( 21 ), and by a second ridge ( 26 ) consecutively concave and convex from the base ( 20 ) thereof embedded in the core up to the second end ( 21 ), the first and second ridges meeting at the free end ( 21 ). The bristles have a slit ( 24 ) in the body thereof for defining a first ( 22 ) and a second ( 23 ) side flank arranged opposite one another. Two bristles consecutively rooted along the length of the applicator may form at least one distal opening ( 30 ) between one another.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of applicators for a fluid or viscouscosmetic product of the mascara type. The invention relates morespecifically to the device or means for applying cosmetic product.

PRIOR ART

Very many mascara applicators are already known in the prior art. Theapplication device in itself may for example be an elongate-shaped brushprovided with a central core from which a set of hairs or bristles stickout. The bristles relate to an old technology: a twisted metal wireholds bristles that stick out transversely. An example of an applicationis illustrated in the American patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,361.

More recently, the application device is in the form of a brushcomprising a series of bristles embedded on the longitudinal core of thebrush. The whole is moulded from plastics material. An applicationdevice thus forms, with a suitable reservoir in which it can beinserted, a cosmetic-product distributor. The applications FR 2 810 860and WO 2011/045770 show a few examples of applicators resulting fromthis concept.

The drawbacks of the application devices, or brushes, of the prior artare that the bristles do not make it possible to correctly effect atransfer of the cosmetic product from the reservoir onto the bristles,and a suitable application of the product to the keratin fibres, inorder to extend, thicken and/or separate them.

One solution envisaged by the prior art TO improv the loading of thebrushes with mascara consists of using bristles having a flat face tocollect the mascara while the non-flat face participates in theseparation of the eyelashes. The document EP 1 872 682 describes such abrush; the bristles are disposed in rows parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the brush and all the bristles in a row have their flat face onthe same side: the flat faces are aligned while the non-flat faces aresituated on the same side of the line. The user of the brush thereforeimparts a movement of the brush in a direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the brush, while turning the latter.

The brushes of this type do not have maximum efficiency since the flatfaces do not participate in the separation of the eyelashes and thenon-flat faces do not participate in the loading with mascara. With thistype of brush, the user is therefore forced to make several passes overthe eyelashes while reversing the movement of the brush in order toensure that a sufficient load of mascara is recovered.

Somewhat differently, the patent application EP 1 611 817 discloses adevice for applying mascara comprising a longitudinal support, and firstand second rows of bristles produced in a single piece with the support,embedded on the same side of the support and extending over more than aquarter of the length of the support. The teeth (or bristles) extend oneither side of a so-called separation geometric surface formed accordingto two non-parallel directions and surfaces. The bristles are erectedfrom a flat face of the support, and are provided so as to be staggeredon either side of the separation surface. Thus, when mascara is applied,the to and from movement imparted to the brush does not provide anoptimum distribution of the load or suitable separation of theeyelashes.

The patent application FR 2 930 875 is also known, which describes adevice for applying cosmetic product comprising a longitudinal coresupporting several rows of bristles having a flat face and projectedradially from the core. The bristles are distributed in at least one rowparallel to the longitudinal axis of the core so that, on the same row,the bristles are positioned alternately on either side of a central line(or plane) of the row, with their flat face turned towards the inside ofthe row. According to one feature of the invention, the flat faces ofthe bristles in the same row extend perpendicular to the core and arealigned, and are oriented in both gyratory directions around the core.

Even though this solution affords a certain improvement vis-à-vis theprior art, the modularity of the load is not obtained favourably.Furthermore the separation of the eyelashes remains open to improvement.

The prior art moreover comprises the patent application EP 1 070 465 A2,which describes a comb the teeth of which are distributed in two rows oftapered curved teeth, symmetrically vis-à-vis a separation geometricsurface. This improvement offers a certain modularity in the holding ofthe cosmetic product but finds an advantage in the application to a combor any equivalent device.

The patent application FR 3 004 905 A1 describes a device for applyingcosmetic product to eyelashes or eyebrows, the bristles of which mayhave a sophisticated profile in side view; however, the geometry ofthese bristles does not allow a significant retention of cosmeticproduct.

The patent application FR 2 937 514 is also known, which describes amascara applicator the bristles of which, obtained by moulding with thecore, are distributed in rows parallel to the longitudinal axis of thecore and extend so as to project in curvature from the core. The generalcurvature of the bristles is substantially circular so that, accordingto one of the embodiments, an applicator in the form of brushes withcurved bristles; such an applicator makes it possible to curve theeyelashes but the load deposited is constant and small.

A development therefore appears necessary in particular with regard tothe shape of each bristle. Each bristle must contribute to improving,alone or in combination with other bristles, both the product load andthe separation of the eyelashes or keratin fibres.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art and inparticular to propose an application device able to capture a maximumvolume of cosmetic product when it is in contact therewith, whilekeeping this product even after the pass or passes over the wiper; thewiper is a small part disposed on the opening of the container, able toremove the surplus cosmetic product captured by the applicator itself.

To do this, a device for applying a product of fluid or past-like typeto keratin fibres is proposed, comprising an elongate shaped centralcore that extends along a longitudinal axis XX, and at least one row ofelongate bristles comprising a first end embedded on the core and asecond free end, the bristles and the core being formed, or moreprecisely being moulded, in a single piece.

According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of thebristles has a flattened shape in a plane substantially perpendicular tothe axis XX, said at least one bristle being defined in front view by afirst ridge continuously convex or concave from its base embedded in thecore to the second free end, and by a second ridge having at least twocurvatures separated by a change of direction from its base embedded inthe core to the second free end of the bristle, the first and secondridges joining at the free end.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said bristles havea slot in their thickness able to define first and second lateral flanksdisposed facing each other.

These characteristic features of the invention allow good retention ofthe cosmetic product by a reservoir effect in the bristle itself; herethe wettability, that is to say the capture of the cosmetic product atthe bristle itself, is increased. Thus, for a given number of bristles,the retention of cosmetic product is improved; this constitutes aninteresting advantage of the invention. Moreover, it is thus possible toregulate the volume of cosmetic product that can be captured very finelyand precisely since it is to the scale of the bristle.

In addition, having regard to the general shape of the bristle, thevolume of product retained is different between the root and the freeend of the bristle: more product is retained close to the free end,where the eyelashes are in almost certain contact with the bristles.

Furthermore, the characteristic shape of the bristles allows maximumflexion when passing over the wiper while retaining a maximum volume ofcosmetic product. It is a case advantageously of capturing a maximumvolume of cosmetic product by virtue of the specific shape of thebristles, keeping this volume when passing over the wiper, and thenrestoring the volume once outside the product. The brush according tothe invention acts as a sponge that absorbs or captures product and thenrestores it when the eyelashes are in contact with the bristles.

“Front view” means the view from one end of the elongate core.

According to another feature of the invention, said slot is providedover the entire height of the bristle concerned. Height means thelargest dimension of the bristle, which corresponds substantially to aradial dimension of the applicator.

More precisely, the first and second flanks have more than 5% of theirsurfaces facing each other. It is meant here that the flanks, which aredisposed facing each other, separated by the slot, have facing surfacesthat represent more than 5% of the substantially flat surface of one ofthe flanks.

According to one of the embodiments of the invention, one of said firstor second flanks has in front view a cutout (opening) substantially inthe form of a semicircle, the diameter of which correspondssubstantially to a part of said second ridge.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the first and secondflanks have a cutout (opening) defined from the second ridge and placedat a different height of the bristle.

Preferentially, the barycentre of said opening is situated at betweenone tenth and nine tenths of the total height H of the bristle measuredover a direction radial to the axis XX. This feature means that saidopening can be provided at a variable height on the bristle, defined bya person skilled in the art according to the particular application.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the bristlesare disposed in rows oriented along the longitudinal axis XX of theapplication device.

By way of illustration, the shape and/or arrangement of two bristlessuccessively implanted on the axis XX is able to create at least onedistal opening between them.

Furthermore, at least one of the bristles comprises at least oneprotrusion issuing from a bulge and/or a convexity.

According to the invention, said bristles form together a substantiallycylindrical external shape (or envelope).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other features, details and advantages of the invention will emerge froma reading of the following description, with reference to theaccompanying figures, which illustrate;

FIG. 1, a perspective view of the applicator device according to a firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1A, an enlarged view of a set of bristles disposed in a proximalzone of the application device;

FIG. 2, a side view, along the thickness, of a bristle;

FIG. 2A, a cross section along AA in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3, a front view of a bristle according to a first embodiment of theinvention, showing a first lateral flank;

FIG. 4, a view of the other face of a bristle according to the firstembodiment of the invention, showing a second lateral flank;

FIG. 5, a first perspective of a bristle according to the invention,seen from its embedding on the core, in relation to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 6, a second perspective of a bristle according to a firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7, a side view, along the thickness, of a bristle;

FIG. 7A, a view from below of a bristle according to a second embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 8, a front view of a bristle according to the second embodiment ofthe invention showing a first lateral flank;

FIG. 9, a view of the other face of a bristle according to the secondembodiment of the invention, showing a second lateral flank;

FIG. 10, a perspective view of a bristle, substantially from the side;

FIG. 11, a side view, along the thickness, of a bristle according to athird embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11A, a cross section of the bristle according to FIG. 11 along BB;

FIG. 11B, a plan view of the bristle of FIG. 11;

FIG. 12, a front view of a bristle according to the third embodiment ofthe invention, showing a first lateral flank;

FIG. 13, a view of the other face of a bristle according to the thirdembodiment of the invention, showing a second lateral flank;

FIG. 14, a perspective view from below of the bristle according to thethird embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 relate respectively to a front view of the deviceaccording to a fourth embodiment of the invention, side and front viewsof the bristles, and a view in perspective of the second device;

FIG. 18 illustrates bristles according to the fourth embodiment of theinvention, provided with a lug;

FIG. 19 is a front view of a fifth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a side view of the embodiment in FIG. 19;

FIG. 20A is an enlarged view of the arrangement of the bristles on thedevice of FIGS. 19 and 20;

FIG. 21 is a front view of a sixth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22 is a perspective of the device according to the sixth embodimentof the invention;

FIGS. 23 and 24 are diagrams for displaying in particular the curvatureplane carrying the first ridges of the bristles;

FIG. 25 is a front view highlighting one of the features of theinvention.

For more clarity, the identical or similar elements are marked byidentical reference signs in all the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a perspective of a device for applying cosmetic product, inparticular mascara; this applicator comprises an elongate shaped centralcore 1 that extends along an axis XX. The cross section of the core 1may be constant or not over the length thereof; it may be circular,oval, polygonal or other. From the core 1, a set of elongate bristles 2or positive reliefs are erected. According to a preferred embodiment,the core 1 and the bristles 2 are moulded together. The bristles 2preferentially extend substantially radially around the core 1 and aredisposed in rows parallel to the longitudinal axis XX, although thisarrangement is in no way limitative. FIG. 1A shows in more detail theimplantation of the bristles 2 on the core 1, an implantation of theembedding type. The bristles are therefore embedded on the core at theirbase 20, while their second end 21 is free. The bristles are thereforeflexible; the flexibility thereof is determined by several parameters,including in particular their size, their shape and their material.

The present invention proposes an advantageous and characteristic shapeof the bristles 2, in several embodiments.

The bristles 2 have a flattened shape in a plane that is generallysubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis XX. “Flattened”means that the bristles have a dimension along an axis of the trihedronthat is appreciably less that the other two. Thus FIG. 2 and the crosssection 2A show a bristle in its thickness e, of around 1 mm; FIGS. 3and 4 show the same bristle, to the same scale, in front view, and itcan be seen clearly that the dimensions are several times greater. Theheight H of this bristle may be 1 mm.

In front view, that is to say from the end of the applicator, thebristle is defined by a first ridge 25 that is continuously convex fromthe base 20 of the bristle as far as its free end 21. The first ridgecorresponds favourably to a portion of a circle. Furthermore, thebristle 2 comprises a second ridge 26 successively concave and convexfrom the base 20 of the bristle as far as its end 21. The first ridge 25and the second ridge 26 join at the free end 21. FIGS. 3 and 4illustrate this characteristic shape. Furthermore, the bristles have aslot 24 situated at their thickness e so as to define two flanks,themselves flattened. The cross section AA shows clearly the slot 24that delimits the two flanks 22, 23 in the thickness e of the bristle.It will be noted that the thickness e is here not constant: it is largeat the base of the two flanks and smaller at the end of the flanks. Aperson skilled in the art is able to finely define these dimensions. Thetwo flanks 22, 23 are referred to as lateral flanks in the remainder ofthis text. They have good flexibility, in particular close to theirconvex ridge 26 and/or the free end 21. The slot 24 thereforeconstitutes a space in which the cosmetic product is retained; thevolume of product actually retained varies according the pressureexerted on the lateral flanks 22, 23, as will be explained below.

FIG. 5 shows, by means of a perspective view from the embedding 20 ofthe bristle, the characteristic shape thereof, according to a firstembodiment of the invention. The first flank 22 can be seen moreprecisely therein. FIG. 6 shows more particularly the second flank 23,which has here a shape similar to the first flank. Symmetry along aplane P is therefore provided in this embodiment of the invention. Thusthe first and second flanks have here 100% of their respective internalsurfaces facing each other.

With regard to the total height H of the bristle 2, the height of theslot 24, that is to say its largest dimension, measured substantiallyalong a radius of the applicator device, corresponds to the total heightH of the bristle. Without departing from the scope of the invention, theheight of the slot 24 could be less than the total height H of the slot.

FIGS. 7 to 10 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention thatdiffers from the first through the form of one of the lateral flanks 22or 23. The first 22 or second 23 flank has here a cutout 27substantially in the form of a semicircle, the diameter of whichcorresponds substantially to a part of the second ridge 26 of thebristle. The cutout 27 therefore issues from the second ridge 26 of thebristle; its form is substantially semicircular, but any similar formfalls within the scope of the invention. The volume of product enclosedin the slot 24 is less great than in the first embodiment of theinvention, but the bristle is more flexible, which may be advantageous.In addition the eyelash C, as shown in FIG. 10, is directly in contactwith the surface corresponding to cutout 27 so that it is more easilyloaded with product at this level; this constitutes an advantageousfeature of the invention.

According to the second embodiment of the invention, the first 22 andsecond 23 flanks have approximately 50% of their solid surfaces facingeach other.

FIGS. 11 to 13 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention accordingto which each flank 22, 23 has a cutout. More precisely, and as can beseen in particular in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, the cutout is defined from asecond ridge 26. The cutout on one of the flanks is placed at a heightH1 while the cutout provided on the other flank is situated at a heightH2 different from the height H1. The height H1 or H2 of the cutout maybe defined as the difference between the embedding of the bristle on thecore and the barycentre of this cutout, a distance measured radially tothe longitudinal axis XX. This embodiment of the invention allows agreater loading with cosmetic product since the eyelash comes intocontact with the cosmetic product present on the internal face of thebristle 2 on both of its flattened faces. In comparison, the embodimentin FIGS. 7 to 10 allows loading via one of the faces of the bristle.

In general terms, the barycentre of the cutout 27 or 28 is situatedbetween one tenth and nine tenths of the total height H of the bristle,measured in a direction radial to the axis XX.

FIG. 14 illustrates, by a perspective view from the embedding zone ofthe bristle, a bristle according the third embodiment of the invention.

By way of illustration, the applicator may have a length of between A mmand B mm; the bristles have a height of between C mm and D mm; thethickness e of the bristles is around E mm; the width or third dimensionof the bristles may be between F mm and G mm.

Preferentially, the first ridges 25 of the bristles are all oriented inthe same direction, facing, as illustrated by FIG. 1A.

FIG. 15 illustrates a device in front view of a fourth embodiment of theinvention; bristles 2 can be seen aligned along the length of thedevice. The bristles each have a first curved ridge 25 and a secondridge 26 successively convex and then concave, from a first embedded end20 as far as their second free end 21. A slight overlap at the bases 20of the bristles is made possible by the angular offset between twosuccessive bristles over the length of the device. FIG. 16 specifies theform of the bristles, in space; these bristles, while being flattened,that is to say with a small dimension in a side view, do however have aslight curvature visible on the side view. A relief is thus created,assisting the capture of cosmetic product.

FIG. 17 shows, by a general perspective view, the implantation of thebristles, organised in rows, with a slight offset along the length,allowing the offset of the bases 20 visible in FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 shows various views of bristles, which differ from those shownin FIG. 16 through the additional presence of lugs 29 oriented alongtheir thickness. The lug 29 increases the surface area of capture ofcosmetic product, and improves the contact with the eyelashes. Althoughthe geometry of these lugs is more sophisticated than the previous ones,manufacture thereof by moulding is still possible.

FIGS. 19, 20 and 20A illustrate an embodiment where the bristles arealigned over the length of the device, with bristles the first ridge 25of which is curved in the same direction of curvature in front view. Thebristles 2 are grouped in pairs in order to form, in front view, a kindof curved petals, characteristic of the invention. In side view and ascan be seen more precisely in FIGS. 20 and 20A, the bristles have acurvature such that two longitudinally juxtaposed bristles form togethera loop 30. Such a loop 30 represents a reservoir of cosmetic product,moreover flexible because of the dimensions and shapes envisaged. Thisaspect corresponds perfectly to the objective of the invention: spongeeffect, able to capture a maximum amount of product, to trap it whenpassing through the wiper, and then to restore it at the time of contactwith the eyelashes.

FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 15 butwhich differs therefrom through the implantation of the bristles 2 onthe core 1: the alignments of bristles 2 (along the longitudinal axisXX) consist of an alternation of bristles, the first ridge 25 of whichis curved in one direction and then in the other, with the samecurvature. These alignments are more especially visible in FIG. 21; FIG.22 illustrates the same alignments, in perspective.

FIGS. 23 to 25 emphasise the continuous curvature Co of the first ridge25 of the bristles. The circle associated with the front view in FIG. 25clearly marks a curvature in which the first ridge 25 of the bristlesfits. In FIG. 24, the bristles are not shown precisely but it isimportant to see the circle Co on which the first ridges 25 of thebristles bear.

Highly advantageously, the profile of the bristles 2 allows specificwiping and a restoration of the load of cosmetic product

Naturally, other modifications of the invention can be made by a personskilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. A device for applying a product of fluid or past-like type to keratinfibres, comprising an elongate shaped central core that extends along alongitudinal axis XX, at least one row of elongate bristles comprising afirst end embedded on the core and a second free end, the bristles andthe core being formed in a single piece, characterised in that at leastone of the bristles has a flattened shape in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the axis XX, said at least one bristle being defined infront view by a first ridge continuously convex or concave from its baseembedded in the core to the second end, and by a second ridge having atleast two curvatures separated by a change-of-direction point from itsbase embedded in the core to the second end, the first and second ridgesjoining at the free end, and in that said bristles have a slot in theirthickness able to define a first and a second lateral flank disposedfacing each other.
 2. A device according to claim 1, characterised inthat said slot is provided over the entire height of the bristleconcerned.
 3. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that thefirst and second flanks have more than 5% of their surfaces placedfacing each other.
 4. A device according to claim 1, characterised inthat said first or second flanks have in front view a cutoutsubstantially in the form of a semicircle, the diameter of whichcorresponds substantially to a part of said second ridge.
 5. A deviceaccording to claim 1, characterised in that the first and second flankseach have a cutout defined from the second ridge and placed at adifferent height of the bristle.
 6. A device according to claim 4,characterised in that the barycentre of said cutout is situated betweenone tenth and nine tenths of the total height H of the bristle measuredover a direction radial to the axis XX.
 7. A device according to claim1, characterised in that the shape and/or arrangement of two bristlessuccessively implanted on the axis XX is able to create at least onedistal opening between them.
 8. A device according to claim 1,characterised in that at least one of the bristles comprises at leastone protrusion issuing from a bulge and/or from a convexity.
 9. A deviceaccording to claim 1, characterised in that all of said bristles havedimensions and/or orientations able to create a substantiallycylindrical external shape.